Magnetic writer having convex trailing surface pole and conformal write gap

ABSTRACT

A magnetic write apparatus has a media-facing surface (MFS), a pole, a write gap, a top shield and coil(s). The pole includes a yoke and a pole tip. The pole tip includes a bottom, a top wider than the bottom and first and second sides. The pole tip has a height between the top and the bottom. At least part of the top of the pole tip is convex in a cross-track direction between the first and second sides such that the height at the MFS is larger between the first and second sides than at the first and second sides. The height increases in a yoke direction perpendicular to the MFS. The write gap is adjacent to and conformal with the top of the pole at the MFS and is between part of the top shield and the pole. The top shield is concave at the MFS.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.15/698,958, filed on Sep. 8, 2017, and which in turn is a divisional ofU.S. application Ser. No. 14/956,168, filed on Dec. 1, 2015 (now U.S.Pat. No. 9,767,831), the entireties of which are incorporated byreference herein.

BACKGROUND

FIG. 1 depicts an air-bearing surface (ABS) view of a conventionalmagnetic recording apparatus 10. The magnetic recording apparatus 10 maybe a perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) apparatus or other magneticwrite apparatus. The conventional magnetic recording apparatus 10 may bea part of a merged head including the write apparatus 10 and a readapparatus (not shown). Alternatively, the magnetic recording head mayonly include the write apparatus 10.

The write apparatus 10 includes a leading shield 12, side shield(s) 14,gap 16, a pole 20 and a trailing shield 30. The apparatus 10 may alsoinclude other components including but not limited to coils forenergizing the pole 20. The top (trailing surface) of the pole 20 iswider than the bottom (leading surface) of the pole 20.

Although the conventional magnetic recording apparatus 10 functions,there are drawbacks. In particular, the conventional magnetic writeapparatus 10 may not perform sufficiently at higher recording densities.For example, at higher recording densities, the pole 20 is desired to besmaller, at least at the ABS. The conventional write apparatus 10 may benot provide a sufficiently high field or the desired field gradient forwriting to a media (not shown). Stated differently, the writeability ofthe conventional pole 20 may suffer. Accordingly, what is needed is asystem and method for improving the performance of a magnetic recordinghead, particularly at higher areal densities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an ABS view of a conventional magnetic recordingapparatus.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D depict side, MFS, recessed and apex views of anexemplary embodiment of a magnetic write apparatus usable in a magneticrecording disk drive.

FIG. 3 depicts a view of the field profile at the media.

FIGS. 4A and 4B depict ABS and recessed views of another exemplaryembodiment of a magnetic write apparatus usable in a magnetic recordingdisk drive.

FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C depict MFS, recessed and apex views of anotherexemplary embodiment of a magnetic write apparatus usable in a magneticrecording disk drive.

FIG. 6 depicts an ABS view of another exemplary embodiment of a magneticwrite apparatus usable in a disk drive.

FIG. 7 depicts an ABS view of another exemplary embodiment of a magneticwrite apparatus usable in a disk drive.

FIG. 8 depicts an ABS view of another exemplary embodiment of a magneticwrite apparatus usable in a disk drive.

FIG. 9 depicts an ABS view of another exemplary embodiment of a magneticwrite apparatus usable in a disk drive.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart depicting an exemplary embodiment of a methodfor fabricating a magnetic write apparatus drive usable in a disk drive.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the various embodiments disclosed are applicable to a variety ofdata storage devices such as magnetic recording disk drives, solid-statehybrid disk drives, networked storage systems, for the purposes ofillustration the description below uses disk drives as examples.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D depict side, media-facing surface (MFS), yokeand apex views of an exemplary embodiment of a magnetic write apparatus120 usable in a magnetic recording disk drive 100. FIG. 2A depicts aside view of the disk drive 100. FIG. 2B depicts an MFS view of thewrite apparatus 120. FIG. 2C depicts a recessed view of the writeapparatus 120. Thus, the view taken in FIG. 2C at a distance from theABS in the yoke direction perpendicular to the ABS. FIG. 2D is an apexview of the write apparatus. For clarity, FIGS. 2A-2D are not to scale.For simplicity not all portions of the disk drive 100 and writeapparatus 120 are shown. In addition, although the disk drive 100 andwrite apparatus 120 are depicted in the context of particular componentsother and/or different components may be used. For example, circuitryused to drive and control various portions of the disk drive is notshown. Only single components are shown. However, multiples of eachcomponents and/or their sub-components, might be used. The writeapparatus 120 may be a perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) writer.However, in other embodiments, the write apparatus 120 may be configuredfor other types of magnetic recording. The disk drive 100 typicallyincludes the write apparatus 120 and a read apparatus. However, only thewrite apparatus 120 is depicted.

The disk drive 100 includes a media 102, and a slider 110 on which thewrite apparatus 120 has been fabricated. Although not shown, the slider110 and thus the write apparatus 120 are generally attached to asuspension. The write apparatus 120 includes a media-facing surface(MFS). Because the write apparatus 120 is used in a disk drive, the MFSis an air-bearing surface (ABS).

The write apparatus 120 includes coil(s) 122, side gap 121, optionalleading (bottom) shield 124, optional side shields 126, a pole 130,write gap 125 and trailing (top) shield 128. The trailing shield 128 isseparated from the pole 130 by the write gap 125. Similarly, the sideshields 126 and bottom shield 124 are separated from the sidewalls ofthe pole 130 by gap 121. Although shown as a single gap 121, the sidegap and bottom gap may be fabricated separately. The gap 121 and writegap 125 are nonmagnetic. The side shields 126 may be magneticallyconnected with the trailing shield 128 and/or the leading shield 124.The coils 122 are used to energize the pole 130. Although one turn isshown in FIG. 2A, another number may be used. For example, in someembodiments, additional turns (not shown in FIG. 2A) may be used. Thecoil(s) 122 may be helical or spiral coils.

The pole 130 includes a pole tip 131 closer to the ABS and a yoke 133further from the ABS. In the embodiment shown, a portion of the pole tip131 occupies the ABS. The pole tip 131 has sidewalls 134 and 136, bottom(leading surface) 132 and top (trailing surface) 138. In the embodimentshown, the top 138 of the pole tip is wider than the bottom 132 in thecross track direction. In some embodiments, the track width of the pole130 in the cross-track direction is on the order of at least forty andnot more than sixty nanometers. However, other track widths, includingsmaller track widths, are possible.

The top 138 of the pole tip 131 is convex. More specifically, the top138 of the pole tip 131 is a convex curved surface. The pole tip 131thus has a height between the top 138 and the bottom 132 that variesacross the ABS. The height at the center, hm1, is larger than the heightat the edges, hs1, of the pole tip 131. The top 138 of the pole tip 131forms angle α with the cross-track direction at the edges 134 and 136.This angle is greater than zero degrees and not more than twentydegrees. The angle may also not exceed fifteen degrees in some cases. Insome embodiments, this angle is at least five degrees and not more thanten degrees. In the embodiment shown, the angles the top 138 makes atthe sides 134 and 136 are the same. Stated differently, the convex top138 of the pole tip 131 is symmetric in the cross-track direction. Themaximum height is at the center of the pole tip 131. In someembodiments, the maximum height, hm1, at the ABS is not more than onehundred nanometers. In some embodiments the maximum height at the ABSmay be at least eighty nanometers. However, other heights are possible.In the embodiment shown, the entire top 138 of the pole tip 131 isconvex. In other embodiments, only a portion of the top 138 is convex.

In addition, as can be seen in FIGS. 2B-2D, the height and width of thepole 130 increase in the yoke direction. The top 138 of the pole tip 131is beveled such that the height increases in the yoke directionperpendicular to the ABS. In the embodiment shown, the bottom 132 of thepole tip 131 is also beveled. This may be best seen in FIG. 2D. However,in other embodiments the bottom 132 may be flat. For example, at theABS, the pole tip 131 has maximum height hm1 as shown in FIG. 2B. Atsome distance from the ABS in the yoke direction, the pole tip 131 has alarger maximum height hm2. The height at the edges 134, 136 in FIG. 2Bis hs2. Similarly, as can be seen in FIGS. 2B and 2C, the width of thepole tip 131 increases. However, as is indicated in FIGS. 2B and 2C, theangle(s) the top 138 makes with the cross-track direction aresubstantially constant. Because the angles α are substantially constantand the pole tip 131 widens, the height of the pole tip 131 naturallyincreases for the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A-2D.

At the ABS, the write gap 125 is conformal with the top 138 of the poletip 131 in the cross-track direction. Because the write gap 125 isconformal, the portion of the trailing shield 128 opposite to the convexportion of the pole tip top 138 may be concave. In some embodiments, thewrite gap 125 is thin. For example, the write gap 125 may be less thanthirty nanometers. In some embodiments, the write gap 125 may not exceedtwenty-five nanometers. However, other thicknesses are possible. In theembodiment shown, the write gap 125 also includes overhangs which extendpast the gap 121 and reside over a portion of the side shields 126.Although the write gap 125 is conformal in the cross-track direction,the write gap 125 can, but need not be, conformal with the top 138 ofthe pole tip 131 in the yoke direction. For example, as can be seen inFIG. 2D, the thickness of the write gap 125 increases slightly in theyoke direction perpendicular to the ABS.

The disk drive 100 and write apparatus 120 may have improved performanceat higher magnetic recording areal densities. The convex top 138 of thepole tip 131 allows the volume of the pole 130 to be increased for aconstant track width. Thus, the pole 130 may provide a higher magneticfield and more desirable magnetic field gradient. It was believed thatthe convex top 138 might adversely affect the shape of the magneticfield provided to the media. However, for the angles, α, in the rangesdescribed above, the change in the magnetic field shape is sufficientlysmall that an improvement in writeability due to the increased magneticvolume offsets any change in the magnetic field profile. For example,FIG. 3 depicts various magnetic field shapes 111, 127 and 129. Note thatthe curves 111, 127 and 129 are for explanation only and do notrepresent specific data from real-world devices. The dashed curve 111indicates the field shape for a pole having a flat top. The solid curve127 indicates the magnetic field shape for the pole 130 having an angleα of approximately five degrees. The dotted curve 129 indicates themagnetic field shape for the pole 130 having an angle α of approximatelyfifteen degrees. Thus, although the magnetic field changes, particularlynear the top, the change may be sufficiently small that other benefitsoutweigh the change in the field profile from the angle ranges describedabove. Thus, field magnitude and gradient may be improved without undulycompromising the field shape. Consequently, the magnetic write apparatus120 may exhibit improved performance, particularly at higher arealrecording densities.

FIGS. 4A and 4B depict ABS and recessed views of another embodiment of adisk drive 100′ and magnetic write apparatus 120′. For clarity, FIGS. 4Aand 4B are not to scale. For simplicity not all portions of the diskdrive 100′/write apparatus 120′ are shown. In addition, although thedisk drive 100′/write apparatus 120′ is depicted in the context ofparticular components other and/or different components may be used. Forexample, circuitry used to drive and control various portions of thedisk drive is not shown. For simplicity, only single components areshown. However, multiples of each components and/or theirsub-components, might be used. Thus, the write apparatus 120′ includes agap 121, an optional leading shield 124, write gap 125′, optional sideshields 126, optional trailing shield 128′ and convex pole 130′ having apole tip, yoke (not explicitly labeled), bottom 132, sides 134 and 136and top 138′ that are analogous to gap 121, optional leading shield 124,write gap 125, optional side shields 126, optional trailing shield 128and convex pole 130 having pole tip 131, yoke 133, bottom 132, sides 134and 136 and top 138, respectively.

The pole tip for pole 130′ may have a width in the cross-track directionand height in the down track direction analogous to that described abovefor the pole tip 131. The top 138′ of the pole tip is convex. Morespecifically, the top 138′ of the pole tip is a convex peaked surface.The pole tip 131 thus has a height between the top 138 and the bottom132 that varies across the ABS. The height at the center, hm1′, islarger than the height at the edges, hs1′, of the pole tip. The top 138′of the pole tip forms angle α with the cross-track direction at theedges 134 and 136. This angle for the pole tip of the pole 130′ is inthe same range as that for the pole tip 131 of the pole 130. In theembodiment shown, the angles the top 138′ makes at the sides 134 and 136are the same. Stated differently, the convex top 138′ of the pole tip131 is symmetric in the cross-track direction. The maximum height is atthe center of the pole tip. In the embodiment shown, the entire top 138′of the pole tip is convex. In other embodiments, only a portion of thetop 138′ is convex.

In addition, the height and width of the pole tip for pole 130 increasein the yoke direction. For example, at the ABS, the pole tip has maximumheight hm1′ as shown in FIG. 4A. At some distance from the ABS in theyoke direction, the pole tip has a larger maximum height hm2′ as shownin FIG. 4B. The height at the sides 134, 136 is hs2′. Similarly, as canbe seen in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the width of the pole tip increases.However, as is indicated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the angle(s) the top 138′makes with the cross-track direction are substantially constant. Becausethe angles α are substantially constant and the pole tip widens, theheight of the pole tip naturally increases.

At the ABS, the write gap 125′ is conformal with the top 138′ of thepole tip in the cross-track direction. Because the write gap 125′ isconformal, the portion of the trailing shield 128′ opposite to theconvex portion of the top 138′ may be concave. In the embodiment shown,the write gap 125′ also includes overhangs which extend past the gap 121and reside over a portion of the side shields 126′. The thickness of thewrite gap 125′ may also be in the range described above for the writegap 125. Although the write gap 125′ is conformal in the cross-trackdirection, the write gap 125′ can, but need not be, conformal with thetop 138′ of the pole tip in the yoke direction.

The disk drive 100′ and write apparatus 120′ may have improvedperformance at higher magnetic recording areal densities. The convex top138′ of the pole tip allows the volume of the pole 130′ to be increasedfor a constant track width. Thus, the pole 130′ may provide a highermagnetic field and more desirable magnetic field gradient. Thus, fieldmagnitude and gradient may be improved without unduly compromising thefield shape. Consequently, the magnetic write apparatus 120′ may exhibitimproved performance, particularly at higher areal recording densities.

FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C depict ABS, recessed and apex views of anotherembodiment of a magnetic write apparatus 140. For clarity, FIGS. 5A-5Care not to scale. For simplicity not all portions of the write apparatus140 are shown. In addition, although the write apparatus 140 is depictedin the context of particular components other and/or differentcomponents may be used. For example, circuitry used to drive and controlvarious portions of the disk drive is not shown. For simplicity, onlysingle components are shown. However, multiples of each componentsand/or their sub-components, might be used. Thus, the write apparatus140 includes a gap 141, an optional leading shield 144, write gap 145,optional side shields 146, optional trailing shield 148 and convex pole150 having a pole tip, yoke (not explicitly labeled), bottom 152, sides154 and 156 and top 158 that are analogous to the gap, optional leadingshield, write gap, optional side shields, optional trailing shield andconvex pole having pole tip, yoke, bottom, sides and top, respectively,described above.

The pole tip for pole 150 may have a width in the cross-track directionand height in the down track direction analogous to that described abovefor the pole tip 131 of the pole 130/130′. The top 158 of the pole tipis a convex curved surface analogous to the surface 138. However, as canbe seen in FIGS. 5A-5C, the angle the top 158 of the pole tip makes atthe sides 154 and 156 changes with distance from the ABS in the yokedirection. At the ABS, the top 158 of the pole tip forms angle α1 withthe cross-track direction at the edges 154 and 156. This angle for thepole tip of the pole 150 is in the same range as that for the pole tip131 of the poles 130 and 130′. Recessed from the ABS, the top 158 of thepole tip forms angle α2 with the cross-track direction at the edges 154and 156. Further α2<α1. The angle the top 158 of the pole tip forms withthe cross-track direction may change continuously with distance from theABS. As can be seen in FIG. 5C, the height of the pole 150 in the downtrack direction still increases with increasing distance from the ABS.However, because the angle that the top 158 makes with the cross-tracktrack direction decreases with distance from the ABS, the height of thepole 150 does not increase as rapidly as the height of the pole 130does. This can be seen in FIG. 5C, in which the height of the pole 130in the yoke direction is shown by a dotted line. In the embodimentshown, the angles the top 158 makes at the sides 154 and 156 are thesame at a given distance from the ABS. Stated differently, the convextop 158 of the pole tip is symmetric in the cross-track direction.

At the ABS, the write gap 145 is conformal with the top 158 of the poletip in the cross-track direction. Because the write gap 145 isconformal, the portion of the trailing shield 158 opposite to the convexportion of the top 158 may be concave. In the embodiment shown, thewrite gap 145 also includes overhangs which extend past the gap 141 andreside over a portion of the side shields 146. The thickness of thewrite gap 145 may also be in the range described above for the writegaps 125 and 125′. Although the write gap 145 is conformal in thecross-track direction, the write gap 145 can, but need not be, conformalwith the top 158 of the pole tip in the yoke direction.

The write apparatus 140 may have improved performance at higher magneticrecording areal densities. The convex top 158 of the pole tip allows thevolume of the pole 150 to be increased for a constant track width. Thus,the pole 150 may provide a higher magnetic field and more desirablemagnetic field gradient. Thus, field magnitude and gradient may beimproved without unduly compromising the field shape. Consequently, themagnetic write apparatus 140 may exhibit improved performance,particularly at higher areal recording densities.

FIG. 6 depicts an ABS view of another embodiment of a magnetic writeapparatus 160. For clarity, FIG. 6 is not to scale. For simplicity notall portions of the write apparatus 160 are shown. In addition, althoughthe write apparatus 160 is depicted in the context of particularcomponents other and/or different components may be used. For example,circuitry used to drive and control various portions of the disk driveis not shown. For simplicity, only single components are shown. However,multiples of each components and/or their sub-components, might be used.Thus, the write apparatus 160 includes a gap 161, an optional leadingshield 164, write gap 165, optional side shields 166, optional trailingshield 168 and convex pole 170 having a pole tip, yoke (not explicitlylabeled), bottom 172, sides 174 and 176 and top 178 that are analogousto the gap, optional leading shield, write gap, optional side shields,optional trailing shield and convex pole having pole tip, yoke, bottom,sides and top, respectively, described above. Although only an ABS viewis shown, the pole 170 including top surface 178, trailing shield 168and write gap 165 may vary in the yoke direction in a manner analogousto the pole, pole tip top surface, trailing shield and write gapdescribed above.

The pole tip for pole 170 may have a width in the cross-track directionand height in the down track direction analogous to that described abovefor the pole tip of the pole 130, 130′ and/or 150. The top 178 of thepole tip is a convex curved surface analogous to the surface 138 and158. At the ABS, the top 178 of the pole tip forms angle α with thecross-track direction at the sides 174 and 176. This angle for the poletip of the pole 170 is in the same range as that for the pole tip 131 ofthe poles 130 and 130′.

At the ABS, the write gap 165 is conformal with the top 178 of the poletip in the cross-track direction. Because the write gap 155 isconformal, the portion of the trailing shield 168 opposite to the convexportion of the top 178 may be concave. In the embodiment shown, thewrite gap 165 does not include overhangs which extend past the gap 161.The thickness of the write gap 165 may also be in the range describedabove for the write gaps 125 and 125′. Although the write gap 165 isconformal in the cross-track direction, the write gap 165 can, but neednot be, conformal with the top 178 of the pole tip in the yokedirection.

The write apparatus 160 may share the benefits of the write apparatuses120, 120′ and/or 140. The pole 170 may provide a higher magnetic fieldand more desirable magnetic field gradient without unduly compromisingthe field shape. Consequently, the magnetic write apparatus 160 mayexhibit improved performance, particularly at higher areal recordingdensities.

FIG. 7 depicts an ABS view of another embodiment of a magnetic writeapparatus 160′. For clarity, FIG. 7 is not to scale. For simplicity notall portions of the write apparatus 160′ are shown. In addition,although the write apparatus 160′ is depicted in the context ofparticular components other and/or different components may be used. Forexample, circuitry used to drive and control various portions of thedisk drive is not shown. For simplicity, only single components areshown. However, multiples of each components and/or theirsub-components, might be used. Thus, the write apparatus 160′ includes agap 161, an optional leading shield 164, write gap 165′, optional sideshields 166, optional trailing shield 168′ and convex pole 170′ having apole tip, yoke (not explicitly labeled), bottom 172, sides 174 and 176and top 178′ that are analogous to the gap, optional leading shield,write gap, optional side shields, optional trailing shield and convexpole having pole tip, yoke, bottom, sides and top, respectively,described above. Although only an ABS view is shown, the pole 170′including top surface 178′, trailing shield 168′ and write gap 165′ mayvary in the yoke direction in a manner analogous to the pole, pole tiptop surface, trailing shield and write gap described above. However, inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the top surface 178′ is a convex peakedsurface. Thus, the top shield 168′ is a concave peaked surface.

The write apparatus 160′ may share the benefits of the write apparatuses120, 120′, 140 and/or 160. The pole 170′ may provide a higher magneticfield and more desirable magnetic field gradient without undulycompromising the field shape. Consequently, the magnetic write apparatus160′ may exhibit improved performance, particularly at higher arealrecording densities.

FIG. 8 depicts an ABS view of another embodiment of a magnetic writeapparatus 180. For clarity, FIG. 8 is not to scale. For simplicity notall portions of the write apparatus 180 are shown. In addition, althoughthe write apparatus 180 is depicted in the context of particularcomponents other and/or different components may be used. For example,circuitry used to drive and control various portions of the disk driveis not shown. For simplicity, only single components are shown. However,multiples of each components and/or their sub-components, might be used.Thus, the write apparatus 180 includes a gap 181, an optional leadingshield 184, write gap 185, optional side shields 186, optional trailingshield 188 and convex pole 190 having a pole tip, yoke (not explicitlylabeled), bottom 192, sides 194 and 196 and top 198 that are analogousto the gap, optional leading shield, write gap, optional side shields,optional trailing shield and convex pole having pole tip, yoke, bottom,sides and top, respectively, described above. Although only an ABS viewis shown, the pole 190 including top surface 198, trailing shield 188and write gap 185 may vary in the yoke direction in a manner analogousto the pole, pole tip top surface, trailing shield and write gapdescribed above.

The pole tip for pole 190 may have a width in the cross-track directionand height in the down track direction analogous to that described abovefor the pole tip of the pole 130, 130′, 150, 170 and/or 170′. The top198 of the pole tip is a convex curved surface analogous to the surface138, 158 and 178. At the ABS, the top 198 of the pole tip forms angle αwith the cross-track direction at one side 194 and another angle β withthe cross-track direction at the other 196. These angles for the poletip of the pole 190 are in the same range as that for the pole tip 131of the poles 130 and 130′. However, the angles α and β differ. Thus, themaximum in the pole height of the pole tip is not in the center of thepole tip. Instead the maximum is closer to the side 196 having thelarger angle 13. In addition, the write gap 185 is shown as havingoverhangs that extend beyond the edges of the gap 181. In otherembodiments, the write gap 185 does not have overhangs.

The write apparatus 180 may share the benefits of the write apparatuses120, 120′, 140, 160 and/or 160′. The pole 190 may provide a highermagnetic field and more desirable magnetic field gradient without undulycompromising the field shape. Consequently, the magnetic write apparatus180 may exhibit improved performance, particularly at higher arealrecording densities.

FIG. 9 depicts an ABS view of another embodiment of a magnetic writeapparatus 180′. For clarity, FIG. 9 is not to scale. For simplicity notall portions of the write apparatus 180′ are shown. In addition,although the write apparatus 180′ is depicted in the context ofparticular components other and/or different components may be used. Forexample, circuitry used to drive and control various portions of thedisk drive is not shown. For simplicity, only single components areshown. However, multiples of each components and/or theirsub-components, might be used. Thus, the write apparatus 180′ includes agap 181, an optional leading shield 184, write gap 185′, optional sideshields 186, optional trailing shield 188′ and convex pole 190′ having apole tip, yoke (not explicitly labeled), bottom 192, sides 194 and 196and top 198′ that are analogous to the gap, optional leading shield,write gap, optional side shields, optional trailing shield and convexpole having pole tip, yoke, bottom, sides and top, respectively,described above. Although only an ABS view is shown, the pole 190′including top surface 198′, trailing shield 188′ and write gap 185′ mayvary in the yoke direction in a manner analogous to the pole, pole tiptop surface, trailing shield and write gap described above. However, inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the top surface 198′ is a convex peakedsurface. Thus, the top shield 188′ is a concave peaked surface. The top198′ forms an angle, α, with the cross-track direction at the side 194and an angle, β′, with the cross-track direction at the side 196.

The write apparatus 180′ may share the benefits of the write apparatuses120, 120′, 140, 160, 160′ and/or 180. The pole 190′ may provide a highermagnetic field and more desirable magnetic field gradient without undulycompromising the field shape. Consequently, the magnetic write apparatus180′ may exhibit improved performance, particularly at higher arealrecording densities.

FIG. 10 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a method 200 for providing amagnetic write apparatus such as a magnetic disk drive. However, othermagnetic recording devices may be fabricated. For simplicity, some stepsmay be omitted, interleaved, combined, performed in another order and/orinclude substeps. The method 200 is described in the context ofproviding a single magnetic recording apparatus. However, the method 200may be used to fabricate multiple magnetic recording apparatuses atsubstantially the same time. The method 200 is also described in thecontext of particular structures. A particular structure may includemultiple materials, multiple substructures and/or multiple sub-layers.The method 200 is described in the context of the write apparatus 120.However, the method 200 may be used in fabricating other writeapparatuses including but not limited to the write apparatuses 120′,140, 160, 160′, 180 and/or 180′. The method 200 also may start after ofother portions of the magnetic recording apparatus are fabricated. Forexample, the method 200 may start after a read apparatus and/or otherstructure have been fabricated.

A bottom shield 124 may optionally be provided, via step 202. Step 202may include providing a multilayer or monolithic (single layer) magneticshield. In other embodiments, step 202 may be omitted. The bottom gap125 may be provided, via step 204. Step 204 may include depositing anonmagnetic layer. The pole 130 is provided, via step 206. In someembodiments, step 206 uses a damascene process to form the pole, byforming a trench in a layer and fabricating the pole 130 in the trench.Step 206 provides the pole such that the top is wider than the bottomand such that the top surface 138 is convex. Thus, the top 138 formingangle, a, with the cross track direction at the sides 134 and 136 isformed. For other poles, other angles may be formed. The conformal writegap 125 is formed, via step 208. The top shield 128 is provided, viastep 210. Fabrication of the write apparatus 120 may then be completed.

Using the method 200, the magnetic write apparatus 120 may be provided.Apparatuses 120′, 140, 160, 160′, 180 and/or 180′ may be fabricated in asimilar fashion. Thus, the benefits described above for higher arealdensity recording may be achieved.

What is claimed is:
 1. A magnetic write apparatus comprising: a polecomprising a pole tip and a yoke, the pole tip comprising: a bottomextending parallel to a cross track direction; a top extending in thecross track direction and wider than the bottom; a first side extendingbetween the top and the bottom in a down track direction; and a secondside extending in the down track direction between the top and thebottom, wherein at a media facing surface, the pole tip forms a firstangle at the first side between the top and a plane extending along thecross track direction and a second angle at the second side between thetop and the plane; wherein a value of the first angle is different froma value of the second angle; and wherein the down track direction isparallel to the media facing surface and the cross track direction isperpendicular to the down track direction.
 2. The magnetic writeapparatus of claim 1, wherein the top has a convex curved surface. 3.The magnetic write apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top has a convexpeaked surface.
 4. The magnetic write apparatus of claim 1, wherein thepole tip has a height between the top and the bottom, and wherein theheight increases from the media facing surface in a yoke direction thatis perpendicular to the media facing surface.
 5. The magnetic writeapparatus of claim 1, wherein the pole tip has a maximum height betweenthe first side and a center of the first side and the second side alongthe top, and wherein the first angle is greater than the second angle.6. The magnetic write apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pole tip has awidth between the first side and the second side, and wherein the widthincreases from the media facing surface in a yoke direction that isperpendicular to the media facing surface.
 7. The magnetic writeapparatus of claim 1, wherein the first angle is greater than zerodegrees and not more than twenty degrees.
 8. The magnetic writeapparatus of claim 1, wherein the second angle is greater than zerodegrees and not more than twenty degrees.
 9. The magnetic writeapparatus of claim 1, further comprising a write gap that is conformalwith a shape of the top in the cross track direction.
 10. The magneticwrite apparatus of claim 9, wherein the write gap comprises overhangsthat extend past the first side and the second side of the pole tip. 11.The magnetic write apparatus of claim 9, further comprising anadditional gap extending along the first side and the second side, andwherein the write gap does not extend beyond the additional gap.
 12. Themagnetic write apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pole tip forms a thirdangle at the first side between the top and the plane at a positionrecessed from the media facing surface, and wherein a value of the thirdangle is equal to the value of the first angle.
 13. The magnetic writeapparatus of claim 1, wherein the pole tip forms a fourth angle at thesecond side between the top and the plane at a position recessed fromthe media facing surface, and wherein a value of the fourth angle isequal to the value of the second angle.
 14. The magnetic write apparatusof claim 1, wherein the pole tip forms a third angle at the first sidebetween the top and the plane at a position recessed from the mediafacing surface, and wherein a value of the third angle is less than thevalue of the first angle.
 15. The magnetic write apparatus of claim 1,wherein the pole tip forms a fourth angle at the second side between thetop and the plane at a position recessed from the media facing surface,and wherein a value of the fourth angle is less than the value of thesecond angle.
 16. A magnetic write apparatus comprising: a polecomprising a pole tip, the pole tip comprising: a top extending in across track direction and having a first side and a second side; whereinat a media facing surface, the pole tip forms a first angle at the firstside between the top and a plane extending along the cross trackdirection and a second angle at the second side between the top and theplane; and a write gap that is conformal with a shape of the top,wherein a value of the first angle is different from a value of thesecond angle at the media facing surface; and wherein the cross trackdirection is perpendicular to a down track direction and the down trackdirection is parallel to the media facing surface.
 17. The magneticwrite apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first angle and the secondangle decrease continuously from the media facing surface in a yokedirection that is perpendicular to the media facing surface.
 18. Themagnetic write apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first angle and thesecond remain constant in a yoke direction that is perpendicular to themedia facing surface.
 19. A magnetic write apparatus comprising: a polecomprising a pole tip, the pole tip comprising: a bottom extendingparallel to a cross track direction; a top extending in the cross trackdirection; a first side extending between the top and the bottom in adown track direction; and a second side extending in the down trackdirection between the top and the bottom, wherein the pole tip has aheight between the top and the bottom, and the height increases from amedia facing surface in a yoke direction that is perpendicular to themedia facing surface; wherein the pole tip has a width between the firstside and the second side, and the width increases from the media facingsurface in the yoke direction; wherein at the media facing surface, thepole tip forms a first angle at the first side between the top and aplane that extends along the cross track direction and a second angle atthe second side between the top and the plane; wherein a value of thefirst angle is different from a value of the second angle; and whereinthe down track direction is parallel to the media facing surface and thecross track direction is perpendicular to the down track direction. 20.The magnetic write apparatus of claim 19, wherein each of the firstangle and the second angle is greater than zero degrees and not morethan twenty degrees.